Chelsea v Aston Villa Post-Match Thread

[SoccerHQ]

Superb today. It's easy McLeish, get the team playing like that on a regular basis and you won't get all this abuse.

Chelsea might not be the force of old but they're still a top 4/5 team so it really frustrates me when we play garbage for most of this season and yet go to Chelsea and play some nice controlled football.

Credit to McLeish aswell, he showed a good tactical mind today, infact that's the formation I want to see for the foreseeable future. Ireland infront of two defensive midfielders, that's the way it has to be to getting him playing properly. Get Bent back upfront, push Gabby a little wider and alternate between N'zogiba/Albrighton. Some games we'll need N'zog's direct running, other games we'll need Albrighton's better crossing ability.

Oh and don't drop Cuellar either. The defence looks so much calmer and composed with him in there, so much so it's ridiculous he's been out of the team so much over the last 18 months.

[damon loves JT]

I really need to stop drinking on top of all these painkillers. I am sitting here in a Villa hat watching 'Footloose'

[luke25]

Absolute fantastic result and a perfect start to the day, I don't even care that my hotel for the nite is over looking St Andrews.

[usav]

Special shout outs for:

Ireland - MOTM
Warnock - was excellent today.
Gabby - so much hard work.
Petrov - a lot of unseen work and was clearly carrying a knock even before he scored.
Cuellar - for not hoofing every time.
Dunne / Collins - solid, one calamity aside.

[ozzjim]

Watching the goals, I think you have to credit Bent with his running off the ball creating the space for Petrov to score. As much as Gabby works hard, the movement and final 3rd nouse of Bent is top drawer, and something we would be mad to let go, especially if Ireland, NZogbia and Albrighton are playing well. Give Clark a few more games in there and I reckon we will be seeing the odd top through ball with the right movement in front of him too.

[Mike Jeffries]

I really need to stop drinking on top of all these painkillers. I am sitting here in a Villa hat watching 'Footloose'

Ah, an enduring image if ever there was one.  I'm sat in my PJ's watching the Steps reunion documentary and I'm happy - anything can happen after a good away win can't it.... literally anything.

[Dave Cooper please]

Not read the thread yet, but can I just say that anyone who has written the phrase 'papering over the cracks' is a ******. Thanks.

[SoccerHQ]

Absolutely made up. Playing Chelsea is my biggest two games of the season as I work with so many of their gloryhunting, johnny come lately fans and also know a shedload (no pun intended) socially. I have been mouthing off all season to them how they have joined the ranks of the also rans and this is going to give me so much ammunition to back that up!

Sky + all set for MOTD as I am to a friend's house for the night....and who does he support do you think?

Wahooooooooooooooooo

Our record against them in the last 5/6 seasons has been so much better than against the top 4 teams put together so I'm amazed you still whine on the rare occasions they actually beat us!

[midnite]

I really need to stop drinking on top of all these painkillers. I am sitting here in a Villa hat watching 'Footloose'

That must be post of the day... Pure quality.

[Tony]

Villa's boss outwits Villas Boas.

[villan from luton]

Watching the goals, I think you have to credit Bent with his running off the ball creating the space for Petrov to score. As much as Gabby works hard, the movement and final 3rd nouse of Bent is top drawer, and something we would be mad to let go, especially if Ireland, NZogbia and Albrighton are playing well. Give Clark a few more games in there and I reckon we will be seeing the odd top through ball with the right movement in front of him too.

His through ball for Petrov's goal was excellent

[Legion]

AVB after-match reaction

[Legion]

AM's view

[LeeB]

I'm glad people on here are finally giving McLeish some credit, even if it is seen as a response to criticism. He's won silverware most places before and I'm sure he will here. Shame on the people who said Ireland was a "waste of space", shame on the people who said Petrov could no longer be "carried", shame on those who contemplated selling Bent, shame on those for not backing McLeish. Believe in Aston Villa. Always.

Amen brother, amen.

The last three games have been a fantastic tonic. And bring on 2012, the year the FA Cup returns home.

[LeeB]

AVB after-match reaction

Twat.